Bridle-bit



(No Model.)

J. L. MURPHY.

BRIDLE BIT.

No. 357,497. Patented Feb. 8, 1887.

JOHN L. MURPHY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,497, dated February8, 1867.

Application filed December 13, 1886. Serial No. 221,351. (No model.)

Massachusetts, have invented new and useful 1 ImprovementsinBridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to bits for bridles,and is adapted for riding ordriving bridles; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the various parts of the hit, all ashereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, forming part of this specification,'Figure 1 is an endelevation of a bit constructed according to my invention, said figureshowing the curb-strap and parts'of the head'strall, the driving andcurb reins attached to the bit. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of thecheelcpieces of the bit, and Fig. 4 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 3is a side elevation of the mouth-piece with the cheek pieces removed.

In the drawings, Zindicates the mouth-piece, having the laterally-curvedcentral portion,B, between its ends, for the usual curbing purpose. Themouth-piece 2 ofthe bit has a cylindrical journal, a, formed on eachend, and to each end of the mouth-piece is suitably secured a crank orcurb'rein lever, 3.

In Fig. 1 the lever 3 is shown secured on the end of the mouth-piece 2by a-washer, 20, and a screw, 21, passing through the washer into theend of the mouth-piece. The cheekpieces 12, one of which is secured oneach end of the mouthpiece 2, in the position shown in Fig. 1, is, asshown, of circular form, and consists of the external ring,b, having onone side thereof theloop e, in which is secured the lower end of thehead-strap 10, the hollow hub 13, and the arms 14, 15, and 16, whichunite said hub to said ring, the arm 15 having therein the slot 12, toprovide for securing one end of the curb-strap 9 thereto, and the arm 14has in its under edge the socket c, which receives the stud 4 on thecrank-arm 3 when the curbcurve B of the mouth-piece liesin the positionshown in Fig. 1, or in such position as occasions no uneasiness orrestraint to the horse.

In the drawings, each of the arms 3 is shown to be provided with saidstud 4; but one thereof may be omitted, if desired, without impairingthe operative efficiency of the bit.

When the parts of the bit are assembled together in operativerelation,one of the cheekpieces 12 is placed on each end of themouthpiece, the hollow hub 13 extending over and covering the journal a.Said hubis of the same external diameter as that part of the mouth-pieceagainst whichthe end of the hub abuts, so that the parts of themouth-piece and hub which come between the teeth of the horse are in thesame plane, and the curve B in the mouth-piece is brought under the roofof the horses mouth, the cheek-pieces serving to prevent anyuniueendwise motion of the latter.

The crank or curb arms 3 are secured, as above described, on the ,endsof the mouthpiece 2,'0ut-side of the cheek-pieces 12, thereby retainingthe latter in place on the journals a. The curb-strap 9, which isbuckled under the lower jaw of the horse, serves to hold the cheekpieces in proper position when the mouth-piece is rotated to bring thecurve B against the roof of the mouth of the horse to curb him.

The strap 8 represents one end of the driving-rein, which is buckled insuch position on the ring of the cheek-pieces that when pulled to guidethe horse it does not cause any rolling movement of the mouth-piece 2.

The eyebolts 5 in the cranks or curb-rein levers 3 are provided withrings 6, in which the ends of the curbreiu 7 are secured, as shown.

The mouthpiece 2 has a free rotary motion in the hubs 13 of thecheek-pieces, and in practice the curb-rein 7 is let hang perfectlyfree, and under these circumstances the curve B in the mouth-pieceoii'ers no resistance to prevent the horse from closing his mouth on thehubs 13 and the mouth-piece; but in so closing his mouth the roofthereof is brought against said curve, thereby causing the mouthpieceand the arms 3 to assume the positions shown in Fig. 1, the studs atswinging to the end of the recesses c in the arms 1% of thecheek-pieces, thereby limiting the rolling motion of the mouthpiece andholding the end of the arm 3 always below the axis of the latter; butwhen the horse requires curbing that is effected by drawing on thecurb-rein 7,

thereby swinging the curve B of the monthpieee upward against the roofof his mouth and preventing him from shutting it on the bit.

The extension of the hollow hubs 13 in wardly from the sides of thehorses mouth and thus providing bearings, so to speak, for the ends ofthe mouth-piece to roll or rock in, obviate to a great extent the dangerof injury to the mouth when it becomes necessary to curb the horse withmuch force.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A bridle-bit consisting of themouthpiece 2, having the central curve,B,and the journals a, combinedwith the cheek-pieces 12, having hollow hubs thereon to receive saidjournals, and in which the mouth-piece has a rolling motion, thecrank-arms 3, having the studs 4,

thereon, secured on the ends of the mouthpiece, and the curb-rein 7,attached to said crank-arms, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, the clieelepieees 12, each provided with the hollowhub 13, the loop a, the slot 12, and recess 0, the curved mouthpiece 2,having the journals a thereon, the crank-arms having the studs 4thereon, secured on'the ends of the mouth-piece, outside theeheelcpieces, the head-strap 10, the curb strap 9, and the curb-rein 7,attached to said crank-arms, substantially as set forth.

JOHN L. illIUBPH Y.

Witnesses:

G. M. CHAMBERLAIN, H. F. ASHTON.

